§ Miss McIntoshTo ask the Prime Minister what representations he has received from pig farmers on the compensation sought for the BSE-equivalent costs. [119448]
§ The Prime MinisterI have received a number of representations. But, as has been made clear by Agriculture Commissioner Fischler, payment of aid to pig producers linked to BSE is not possible under EU state aid rules. Helping the industry to meet the challenges it 425W faces is the way forward and this is the prime objective of the Pig Industry Aid Scheme I announced at my meeting with industry leaders on 30 March 2000.